Retailers in the US recently started selling Intel’s new Islay Canyon mini NUCs (Next Unit of Computing), and it’s a machine that’s got an amusing CPU and GPU combo. Namely, an 8th generation Intel Core CPU and an AMD Radeon GPU.
To be fair, this isn’t the first time that Intel has released a NUC using a combination of its own Core processor and AMD’s graphics technology. If you recall, Intel announced its Hades Canyon NUC; the mini PC powered by the company’s G-Series Core i7-8809G CPU with integrated 4GB of HBM2 memory. Courtesy of the AMD Radeon RX Vega M integrated GPU.
Unlike the Core i7-8809G, and as mentioned at the start, the Islay Canyon is simply a series of NUCs sporting the typical CPU and GPU combo. Specs-wise, the NUC is powered by either an 8th generation Core i5 or Core i7 CPU, 8GB LPDDR3 RAM, and an AMD Radeon 540X discrete GPU.
Depending on the model as well, the Islay Canyon NUC can be equipped with an Intel Optane Memory SSD or a choice between a 128GB and 256GB NVMe PCIe Gen3 M.2 SSD. Plus a 1TB HDD. Of course, as far as NUCs go, these models are also available as barebone kits without any storage or software installed.
As mentioned, the new Islay Canyon NUCs are currently available for purchase in the US via online retailers such as Amazon, Newegg, and Walmart, and at prices ranging between US$772 and US$1075 (between ~RM3196 and ~RM4451). At the time of writing, Intel did not specify if and when the new NUCs will be available in Malaysia.
(Source: AnandTech // Image: Intel via AnandTech)
